Table of Contents
Aboriginal Flood Myths and Historical Corroboration
The landscape and mythology of Australia hold significant importance to Aboriginal cultures. Stories often revolve around the origins and development of the land. Coastal Aboriginal groups have legends that recount a time when the coastline was further back and describe a great flood that caused permanent changes, submerging parts of the land. These narratives include:
- Goon giji of Cape Grafton, Queensland: They tell of a land that became the Great Barrier Reef, once dry and inhabited, until a flood was sent by gods when a man named Gona ate a forbidden fish.
- Cape Cham Legend: Speaks of a plain submerged by a great flood, with two women transformed into rocks as they drowned.
These stories align with scientific findings that confirm sea levels were lower approximately 10,000 years ago. Patrick Nunn and Nicholas Reid’s 2016 research identified 21 flood stories consistent with historical events.
Crater Lake, Oregon: Myth and Geological Evidence
The Klamath tribe of North America has a legend explaining the formation of Crater Lake. They believed an opening led to the “Below World,” ruled by the chief Llao. A conflict with Skell, the chief of the “Above World,” ensued, leading to a battle that caused a mountain to collapse and form the lake. This myth aligns with scientific evidence, as geologists propose Crater Lake was formed by a volcanic eruption 7,000 years ago.
Cultural Memories of Extinct Animals
Some myths may originate from real observations of extinct creatures:
- Mapinguari of South America: Described as a large, hairy, defensive creature. Dr. David Oren suggested that it could stem from memories of ground sloths that went extinct 12,000–11,000 years ago.
- Bunyip of Australia: Described as a semi-aquatic monster. It might be connected to Diprotodon, an extinct large marsupial. The idea that these myths are based on direct observation is speculative.
The Gunditjmara and Volcanic Memory
The Gunditjmara people have a story about the formation of the Budj Bim volcano, believed to erupt 37,000 years ago. The story of a giant transforming into the mountain may reflect actual historical volcanic activity.
The Pleiades: A Possible Global Legend
The Pleiades star cluster, known as the Seven Sisters, appears in numerous global myths. The stories often describe seven sisters being chased by a figure represented by the constellation Orion. In Greek mythology, they are daughters of Atlas. Aboriginal Australians and Native American tribes also have variations of this story. The consistency across cultures raises questions about whether these myths share an origin possibly dating back 100,000 years. Researchers Ray Norris and Barnaby Norris proposed that the visibility of a seventh star in ancient times might explain these stories.
Conclusion
The study of ancient myths highlights that while many myths are fabrications, others may preserve memories of real historical events or observations. These findings encourage further research into the depth and preservation of oral traditions. The longevity of some stories, such as those in Aboriginal Australian cultures, suggests a unique capacity for preserving history across tens of thousands of years.
